Metal-working die block



W. B. UPDEGRAFF METAL WORKING DIE BLOCK Filed OCLA 22, 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet l @at l@ i926., S

W. B. UPDEGRAFF METAL WORKING DE BLOCK Filed Oct. 22, 1924 3 Sheets-'Sheet 2 @cto 119 26.

LBGSS VV. B. UPDEGRAFF METAL WORKNG DI'E BLOCK Filed oct. 22, 1924 nl-lex?-- 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 i atented ct. 19, `1926.

WILLIAM B. UPDEGVRAFF, OF ELIZABETH, NEKW JERSEY.

METAL-WORKING :om BLOCK.

Application led October 22, 1924. Serial No. 745,101.

My invention relates to means for forming tubular bodies of metal, of desired and determined transverse section, from metal usually in a semi-fluid condition, under pressure 'in a container, by eXti'uding it therefrom, through an annular orifice.

The object of my invention is to provide a die block and its accessories, for application^in the practice of the method of manufacture above recited, .which shall be desirably adaptable in the formation of tubing or rods, or covering for cable, hose, wire, etc., and which, in construction, may lbe accurately machined to the proper form and relation of the constituent members, at a substantial reduction. of time and labor, and, in operation, will ensure the rendition of a product which will be of uniform character, as to proper strength, and desired dimen-k sions. i

The improvement claimed is hereinafter. fully set forth.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a vertical section through a die block illustrating an embodiment of my invention, on the line 1-1 of Fig. 2; Fig. 2, a similar section, taken at a right angle to Fig. 1, the right hand half being on the line 2 2, and

the left hand half on the line 2-2 there- -of; Fig. 3, a similar section, on the line S- of Fig. 1; Fig. 4, a view, in perspective, of a choke ring; Fig. 5, a similar view of a guiding sleeve; Fig. 6, a side View, in elevation, of the same; Fig. 7, a vertical section, on the line 7 7 of Fig.`8, through a die block, illustrating means for enclosing a cable in ametallie casing; Fig. 8, a similar section, taken at a right angle to Fig. 7, on the line 8-8'thereof; and, Fig. 9, a view, partly` in side elevation, and partly in longitudinal central section, of a nipple applicable in the coating of hose withj lead.

ln the practice of my invention, referring` descriptively to the specific embodiment thereof which is herein exemplified, and first to Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, the body of the die'block is of substantially rectangular section, both longitudinall and transversely, and, is preferably, as s own, made in two parts, an upper section, 1, and a lower section l, which are tongued and grooved, respectively, on their abutting faces, and in use, arernily secured together, and constitute a containing and strengthening member which inalntalns the Several accessory elements in their normal positions and relation. The die block may, if desired, be made in a single piece, and when in operative position, is coniined between a container, A, charged with a supply of lead or other metal, under pressure, usually in a semi-fluid condition, and abutting against the top ofthe upper section, 1, and 'a suitable fixed bearing member, B, against which the lower section, l, abuts. The container, A, is open at vits bottom, to a recess, 1b, in the top of the upper section.

When connected as a unit, for the purpose` the' die block sections, 1, and la, are bored out longitudinally, for the reception of accessoryvmembers, which will now be described. The ends of the bore of the die block sections, are, when the arts are assembled for operation, closed hy front and rear tubular adjustment screws, 3 and 3a. each having an outwardly tapering bore, and being screwed into the die block, sections. A tubular core or nipple holder, 4, is fitted in the bore of the die block sections, the here of said core communicating with, and being of substantially the same diameter as, the

inner ends vof the bores of the adjusting screws, 3 and 3a. The end of the core, Ll, adjoining the rear adjusting screw, 3a, has an annular shoulder, (4?, formed upon it, which is forced and held against washers, 4b, abutting on the die block sections, by the adjusting screws, 3a. The periphery of the core, 4, adjoining its opposite end, is inwardly curved, and a nipple, 5, is fitted within it. The periphery of the outer end of the nipple, is curved correspondingly with the curvature of the periphery of the core, and its bore tapers inwardly from a diameter, at its inner end, slightly less than that of the core, toits outer end.

Supply channels, 6, for the passage of metal fromthe container, A, extend downwardly from the recess, 1b, in the top of the upper section of 'the kdie block, to lower tei'- minals which communicate with passages in a guiding sleeve, 7, iitted between the sections of the die block, around the core, 4. The sleeve, 7, is machined to the form shown in Figs. 5 and 6, so as to present full open ing to the supply channels, 6, and provide a continuous guiding channel, 13, around the core, 4;, as a passage way which accurately dverts the metal, supplied vertically through the channels, 6, into a horizontal direction 0f traverse, the metal entirely .Surf

that an inwardly to the sealing ring rounding the core, 4, and being extruded, by the action of the pressure upon it,.throug the annular orifice between the nipple, 5, and an .adjoining die, 10, to be presently described. As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the channel, 13, is formed in the sleeve, 7, by peripheral recesses. 7b, located on opposite sides of the middle top ort1on, 7, of 1ts shell, the bottoms of said recesses being curved ltowards the nipple, 5, from the portion, 7, ofthe sleeve, to the end thereof, nearer the nipple.

The sleeve, 7, accurately fits 1n the dle block sections, 1 and l, and a collar, 7, o n the sleeve, holds it in position longitudr nally therein, andfreeeives the end thrust, resultant upon internal pressure of metal in the die block. The core, 4, is truly cylindrical, from the collar, 4, at one end, to its inwardly curved portion at its opposite end, lwithin which the nipple,l 5, is fitted, and fits accurately in the sleeve, 7 A d1e holder, 8, is held in floating position 1n a machined bore of tle die block, at the end thereof at which the front adjustment screw, 3, is located, and is supported and held in position by four lateral adjustment wedges, 9, each of which is actuated by a screw, 9, with heads, 9b. A die, 10, 1s iittedaccurately in the die holder, 8, which, in turn, is fitted to a sealing ring, 11, said ring fitting accurately in a cylindrical portion of a choke ring, 12, of very high grade steel, which is accurately fitted in the d1e block sections, 1 and 1a. The sealing ring, 11, ts against theface ofthe die holder, 8. By suitable movements of -thewedges, 9, the die holder may be adjusted relatively and nipple.

The form of the choke ring, 12, is clearly shown in Fig. 4, by reference to which it will be seen that itis bored, cylindrically at, and for a portion of its length adjoining its end in which the sealing rlng 11, as indicated by the reference symbol, 12, and projecting ridge or rib, 12", extends partially around the upper portionrof its bore. The portion of itsl bore below the ridge, 12b, is enlarged by a segmental recess, 12c, as shown in Fig. 4, and indicated in Figs. 1 and 2, the result of which construction is to cause the annular orifice, 13, between the curved portion of the core, 4, at the end thereof, in which the nipple, ,-5, is fitted, and the surrounding choke ring, 12, through which orifice the metal is extruded, to be of different widths, in different portions of its extent. Rotation of the co're, 4, sleeve, 7, and choke ring, 12, in the die block, is prevented by dowel ins, fixed in the lower die block section, an engaging these members, in Y the ordinary manner. j

The choke ring, 12, which is an important feature of my invention, acts as a strengthening cylinder, to resist the bursting sure induced by the high unit metal pressure, and thus to relieve, to a large extent, the tendency of the sections of the die block presto be separated by said pres-sure, and its furaccordance with the requirements of extrusion at such particular portion, that is to say, the orifice is caused t'o be of greater width, at points where the metal flows less readily, andof lesse-1l width where it flows more readily. The exact degree of the open* ing, at any one point, is determined 'by trial vin actual service. Slight variations of the orifice may be made by varying the position of the core, by slackening the rear adjustment screw, 3a, and inserting additional washers, 4b, or by removing one or more of said washers and tightening up the adjustment screw, 3a. The adjustment 'screws are so regulated as to cause the flow of metal through the orifice of extrusion, to be practically uniform at all parts thereof, thereby ensuring the formation of pipe of uniform wall thickness. The slackening of the front adjustment screw, 3, effects a wider opening and consequent increased thickness of the wall ofthe pipe, and the tightening of Isaid screw, provides a narrower opening and a resultant thinner wall in the pipe produced.

Alterations in the specific form and dimensionvof the core, 4, the sleeve, 7, the choke ring, 12, and the sealing ring, 11, may obviously be made, without departure from the spirit and operative principleof my inven? tion, and thereby the passage for the extrusion of metal, can be varied within wide limits, to produce any desired distribution of metal, and manufacture pipes, either of uniform circular section, or of such varia.- tions therefrom as may be desired. In such variations of form and dimensions, the followingmainfeatures of the operative die block structure, i. e., the die block sections, 1 and 1, die holder, 8; and adjustment screws, 3 and 3", are not altered inv any par ticular, although the passage ways for metal may be radically varied, by the application of dierent specific forms of the sleeve, the core, the cho re ring, and the sealing ring, with suitably formed nipples and dies.V

Figs. 7 to 9 inclusive, illustrate the application ofI my invention in covering wires, cables or hose, with a casing of lead pipe. In the instance exemplified, two wires or cables, 14, are fed, side by side, into the die block, through the bores of the rear adjustment screw, 3^, and the nipple, 5, and are ltlfi covered by a casing 14, of lead pipe, which is extruded around them, through an annular orifice, as in the structure previously described. In cases where it is desired that the casin shall be interiorly corrugated, this may be e ected by the use of a nipple, 5, hav- Ving corrugations, 5, on its face, as shown in between the nipple and the die. This has heretofore been a very difficult and expensive operation, as the openings had to be made in forgings comprising the upper and lower sections of the `'die block. Incorrect machine work involves the replacement of these large parts, and'furthermore, it is almost impossible, in doing work of this character, to ensure accurate duplication of parts, or effect a change in the -accessories of a die block of the prior designs, without practically constructing a new block. Again, in the prior designs, it is impossible to readily change from one set of accessories to another, and return to the application of the original accessories.

In the construction provided by my invention, as hereinbefore described, the form of the passage ways for metal can be varied without involving any change in the sections of the die block, and it is readily practicable to machine the parts to standard drawings, and thereby to duplicate existing die block structures, without diiiiculty and without resorting to cut and try methods. An imortant feature of my invention is the capacity which it aords, of readily removing the die and nipple, without removing the die block from the press, in connection lwith which it is operated, and without disturbing the adjustments thereof. By removing the front adjustment screw, the die holder and die can be taken out, permitting the removal of the sealing ring. en this is done, if, in the use of the block, metal has been deposited in the passage ways, the small amount thereof, surrounding the exposed end of the nip le, can be melted out, and the nipple pushe out of theV die block by a stic or rod, passed throu h the bore of the rear adjustment screw. new nipple and die may then be inserted, and the removed parte replaced, thus rendering it easy to make chan es in the size of the die or nipple, or both, w en it is desired to produce pipe or oasin of a different size.

The a ilityr of readily adjusting the die laterally, relatively to t e nipple, while the die block is in use, and without disturbing any other adjustments, is especially ldesirable. Such lateral adjustment is particularly important in covering cable, Where uniformity of lead wall thickness is essential.v

I t is likewise possible to remove the rear adjustment screw,rand draw out the core, through the opening thereby presented, and to replace the core, or insert another of the same outside diameter, but differing in de tail, such as being of greater or smaller bore, without removing the die block from the press or disturbing the press adjustment. Thiscapabilit is of special advantage in die blocks use in the manufacture of lead pipe of comparatively large diameter, or for covering large cable or hose, as it is necessary to reduce the bore of the core, to correspond witli a com aratively large reductionV in the bore of tlie nipple. This necessity arises` from the fact that the intense pressure of the lead, exerted against the face of the nipple, makes necessary ya bearing area between the nipple and the core, suflicient to safely withstand. such ressure. The die holder may be replaced y another, having a larger or a smaller bore, and it is therefore possible to maintain, by suitable die holders, sufficient bearing area between the die holder and the die. l There results, from the ability of changing cores and die holders, which is presented by my invention, the capacity of forming'a much greater range of sizes of lead pi e, in'

one die block, than would be practica le if the interchan eability of cores and die holders could not e readily effected.

lllll I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

l. In a metal working die block, the conibination of a body, having a supply channeLfor the passage of metal; a die holder,

fitted therein, a die, fitted in said die holder;

a core, fitted in the body, inline with the .die holder; a nipple, fitted in the core, and

separated from the die by an annular space, communicating with the supply channel; a sleeve, governing the flow of ,metal through the die block; and an adjustment screw, en-

aging the die block and bearing on the die older.

2. In a metal working die block, the combination of a body, having a supply channel for the passage. of metal; a die holder, fitted therein; a die, fitted in said die holder; a core, tted in the body,-in line with the die holder; a nipple, fitted in the core, and separated from the die by an annular space communicating with the supply channel; and adjustment screws, engaging the die block, and bearin on, without rotative connecton with, the ie holder andthev core, respectively. j

3. In a metal working die block, the combination of a body, having a sup ly channel for the passage of metal; a die holder,

n bination` of a body,

fitted in the body; a die, fitted in the die holder; a core, fitted in the body; a nipple, fitted in the core; and means for eifectlng longitudinal adjustment of the core, towards or from the die holder without variation of the relation of said members to a common middle plane.

4. In a metal working die block, the combination of a body, having a supply channel for the passage of metal; a die holder, fitted in the body; a die, fitted in the die holder; a core, fitted in the body; -a nipple fitted in the core; and means for adjusting the die holder, relatively to the core without variation of the relation of said members to a common middle plane.

5. In a metal working die block, the comhaving a supply channel for the passage of metal; a die and a nipple, supported, in line, in the body, and spaced apart longitudinally; and a choke ring, surrounding the end portion of the nipple, and spaced apart therefrom.

6. In a metal working die block, the combination of a body, having a supply channel for the passage of metal; a die holder, fitted in the body; a die, iitted in the die holder; a sealing ring, fitting against the face of the die holder; a nipple, fitted in the body; and a chokel ring, fitting around the nipple.

7. In a metal working die block, the combination of a body, having a supply channel for the passage of metal; a die holder, fitted in the body; a die, fitted in the die holder; a sealing ring, fitting against the face of the die holder; a core, fitted in the body; a nipple, tted inthe core; and a choke ring, fitting around the core, and spaced apart therefrom.

8. In a metal working die block, the combination of a body, having a supply channel for the passage of metal; a die, fitted in the body; a sealing ring, fitting a ainst the face of the die; a core, fitted in the. ody; amipple, fitted in the core; and a choke ring, fitting around the adjacent end portion of the core; said choke ring having a prtion of its bore, adjacent to the core, recessed eccentrically thereto.

9. In a metal working die block, the combination of a body, having a supply channel for the passage of metal; a die, fitted in the body; a sealing ring, fitting against the face of the die; a1 core, fitted in the body; and a choke ring, fitting around the sealing ring, and surrounding, and. spaced apart from, the adjacent end portion of the core; said choke ring having a portion of its bore, adjacent to the core, ecentric thereto.

10. In a metal working die block, the com-y bination of a body, having a supply channel for the passage of metal; a tubular core and a tubular die holder, supported removably in the body, and separated, longitudinally, by a space communicating with the bores of the core and the die holder; a guiding rin surrounding the core, and having a perip eral recess, establishing communication between the supply channel and the space between the core and the die holder; a choke ring, surrounding said space and having a portion of its bore, adjacent to the core, recessed eccentrically thereto; and tubular adjustment screws, engaging opposite ends of the body, the bores of said screws communicating with the bores of the core and of the die holder, respectively.

1l. A guiding ring for a metal working die block, which is in the form of a sleeve, adapted to fit in the die block, and having one of its ends so shaped as to direct the flow of metal through the die block.

12. A guiding ring for a metal working die block, which is in the form of a sleeve, adapted to t in the die block, and having one of its ends so shaped as to direct the flow of metal through the die block, and a portion of which is anged for engagement with the die block.

13. A choke ring for met-al working die blocks, having a body, the bore of which is partly eccentric to its axial line.

14. A choke ring for metal working die blocks, having a body, the bore of which is recessed outwardly from its axial line, on one side thereof, for a portion of its length, and which has an inward swell or projection opposite its recessed portion.

WILLIAM B. UPDEGRAFF. 

